The term “women’s lib” has evolved throughout the years. From the OG women’s liberation movement of the 1920s that centered around women’s suffrage, to the free-loving ‘70s when women demanded to be in the workplace, to the modern-day Me Too hashtags and Time’s Up GIFS. But while the specific issues being targeted have changed, one theme has remained the same – unapologetic feminism.

The Rosa Parks, Hilary Clintons, and Oprahs have paved the way for women to be strong in their wants and steadfast in their needs. We have become a sex that is loud. We have become a sex that is fierce. And we have become a sex that is fed up.

So it only made sense to pair up a wine and a film that are both unwavering in their feminism. I wanted a pairing that screamed “We’re not going to take it anymore!” Lucky for me, I found that in Greta Gerwig’s 2017 Oscar-nominated film “LADY BIRD” and the 2015 Represent Red Dolcetto from Nasty Woman Wines.

June’s Movie: “LADY BIRD”

Most coming of age teen movies hit the usual tropes; a tumultuous parent/child relationship, sexual realizations, and all the pulled heartstrings that come with post-adolescence. But what first-time director Greta Gerwig does in “LADY BIRD” is nothing short of relentlessly honest. There is nothing “usual” or “typical” here. Mind-bogglingly thoughtful in its approach, this film takes every John Hughes film you’ve seen, and injects it with a dose of unwavering reality.

“LADY BIRD” is a love story dedicated to teenage angst, growing up, and separation. It tells the story of high school senior Christine “Lady Bird” McPherson and her turbulent relationship with her mother. We become privy to her rom-com relationship with, no, not a boy, but with her best friend Julie. While most tween films show their female protagonists searching for validation via boyfriends and sex, “LADY BIRD” unabashedly goes for the gutteral, and instead focuses on self-determination and the power of female bonds.

Greta Gerwig manages to become her own success story and a symbol of the future of storytelling – of the not-so-far-fetched notion that we may one day stop qualifying director with the word “female”. In the meantime, relish in the fact that “LADY BIRD” is both blissfully quiet and piercefully thunderous. Also, call your mom and tell her you love her.

May’s Wine:

Nasty Woman Wines 2015 Represent Red Dolcetto

Nasty Woman Wines was founded on Election Day in 2016. Founder Meg Murray thought she would be celebrating our nation’s first female President. Instead, she found herself in tears, answering her five-year-old daughter’s question, “How old do I have to be when I run for President?” With that, Murray decided it was time to “get nasty”, and the result is a line of “unapologetically tasty” wines coming from the Willamette Valley.

Oh yeah – and twenty percent of all their net profits go to help accelerate global progress towards women’s equal participation in policy and leadership.

Seemed liked a no-brainer to go with the 2015 Represent Red Dolcetto. Nasty Woman Wines deems this vino as “made for showing them what you’re made of”, and you definitely get that on the nose with aromas of sugar and spice, and everything nice. But don’t let this wine fool you, because on the palate it digs deep with layers of dark fruit and a vibrant acidity that says to your palate, “Hey! I’m here! Pay attention to ME!”

“LADY BIRD” and the 2015 REPRESENT RED DOLCETTO from NASTY WOMAN WINES, side by side, are a fierce, no holds barred combination. This combo reinvigorates me and re-inspires me. It challenges me to push every envelope and be the best me I can be. It’s a reminder that we are always on a journey of self-discovery, and we should never make any apologies for that. On the contrary, we should damn-well embrace it and celebrate it.

A native New Yorker, Elyssa has been acting since the age of 5 (she still owns the red dress with the black bow from when she played Annie at the age of 6). After studying at the British American Drama Academy in England, and graduating from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, Elyssa spent her time performing around the country in various theatrical productions....from Shakespeare's "As You Like It" and "Measure For Measure", to the long-running improvisational comedies "Tony 'n Tina's Wedding" and "Shear Madness"...with some other tricks of her trade along the way. Elyssa is a house performer, writer, and producer at The Pack Theater in Hollywood. Her most recent TV credits include "Silicon Valley" and "The Mindy Project".

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